NEW DELHI: Kerala high court on Monday ruled that the vice chancellors of the nine Universities can continue in their positions until the governor issues a final order.
Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday had sought resignations of VCs of nine universities in the state.
The court expressed reservations regarding the governor’s communication issued on October 23 which asked the VCs to resign today by 11 AM. “It does not require much judgments to say no one can be asked to tender resignation”, the court said.
Earlier today the governor issued notices to VCs after they refused to send their resignation letters to him before 11.30 AM as per his directive.
He said the notices were issued upholding the verdict of the Supreme Court, which has declared as “void ab initio” any appointment as a Vice-Chancellor made on the recommendation of the Search Committee, which is constituted contrary to the provisions of the UGC regulation.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan lashed out at governor for seeking resignation of vice chancellors and accused him of acting against the Constitution and the essence of democracy.
The chief minister alleged that the governor’s move was an encroachment on the powers of a democratically elected government, and the universities that are supposed to be academically independent.
Khan rejected the allegations of chief minister that the VCs have been denied natural justice.
“I only suggested an honourable way out. I have not sacked them”, the Governor said in a lengthy press conference convened to give reply to the Chief Minister’s allegations against him.
(With agency inputs)